Development of New Materials for Optically Programmable and Re-Programmable Printable Memristors for Neuromorphic Computing

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Printed electronics (i.e. the technology of fabricating electronic devices and circuits using additive, low-temperature printing processes) promises low-cost, on-demand electronic circuit fabrication, in new form-factors (e.g. on flexible or conformal substrates) using bio-compatible components, over large areas. The most promising commercial opportunities are in intelligent sensors, smart tags and wearables, where intelligent processing is embedded in the device. Delivery of these systems requires the low-power, low-cost, and low component count of analogue computing, combined with deep learning algorithms and this has led to a resurgence of interest in analogue neural network computing, sometimes termed a "neuromorphic" approach to computation. Critical components of the hardware require new materials to deliver the necessary robust, programmeable and printable devices. This research project focusses on the development of new organic semiconductors in which the resistance of the material is capable of being programmed and re-programmed by exposure to visible light after deposition into a thin film. This optical encoding of the materials resistance is important to decouple the write and read processes in memristor devices and to deliver stable, robust and reproducible progammeable elements for neuromorphic circuits. The project involves organic synthesis, molecular characterisation including optical spectroscopy, calculation of electronic structure, formulation of inks, printing of thin films, thin film characterisation, device fabrication and testing. Integration of the materials and devices into circuits will be carried out in the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering at The University of Manchester.